Lives Impacted
The true measure of our work isn't found only in numbers—it is found in people.
Every story represents a journey of growth through movement, mentorship, and meaningful connection.
At ZERV Foundations, we believe movement has the power to build confidence, develop resilience, strengthen communities, and help people become stronger versions of themselves.
VENUS VASQUEZ
HOWARD BEACH, NY VEHICLE COORDINATOR
1) How do you know Coach Zerv?
He started out as my fitness trainer and have grown to be a friend.
2) What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
As a personal trainer you have motivated me to push myself to new limits. You have shown me that with dedication and consistency I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I am stronger than I think and there is nothing I cant do. You have given me tools that I can take with me my entire life. Calisthenics is more than a fitness journey its life lessons tucked into a neat little package.
As a friend you have given me lessons in self awareness and confidence. You have shown me that not only am I worthy of great things i truly deserve them. And that as much as I love pouring into others it is equally important to pour into myself and not feel ashamed for doing so. Don't worry about what others think focus on yourself and move accordingly.
3) What's one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
There are many. Thinking back I think I loved our little limitless talk sessions just as much as our workouts. One that sticks out in my mind is the one where we talked about forgiveness and boundaries. It made me realize that while I thought I was setting boundaries in my life there's more to it. I actually had to do the work and follow through (who would've thought).
This year I put that into action. Setting boundaries has given me time to sit with myself and reflect, which is something I've never been able to do. Being alone has always been so scary to me. But after our conversation, and seeing you take time for you, it made me realize its actually healthy to be alone with yourself, to allow yourself to get lost in your thoughts and feel what needs to be felt.
I always knew grounding yourself was important but at times it felt selfish. I no longer feel that way. I am now able to put myself as a priority without feeling guilty, so thank you.
4) How would you describe Coach Zerv in 3 words?
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Determined
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Dedicated
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Kind and Humble
5) Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Honestly, I just want to give you your flowers. You inspire so many around you. Since we've been working out in the parks I see how the kids gravitate towards you. Others are there working out, but you have an aura where they naturally gravitate towards you; not many have that. You take time and make them feel special. Like they can do anything. You teach with care and mindfulness. You give tools and drop gems, lol. You are the epitome of "If you give a man a fish he will eat for a day but if you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime". Keep doing what you are doing, the impact is felt.
MARII P. | NEW YORK CITY, NY | TEACHER
1) How do you know Coach Zerv?
We work together.
2) What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
You hold experiences and knowledge that can guide others toward their own success.
3) What's one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
To never give up to keep going. No matter what it will get a little difficult but always worth it at the end.
4) How would you describe Coach Zerv in 3 words?
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Honest
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Respectful
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Understanding
5) Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Continue to always be you and never give up.
JARLENE CACHO
BRONX, NY
SISTER
1) How do you know Coach Zerv?
He's my big brother.
2) What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
Growing up, we would always have our ups and downs. As we got older, every day with him became a teaching experience, and I'm grateful for that because it helps me reflect on my actions, how I communicate, and how I view people.
3) What's one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
There's so many to choose from, but the biggest was when I had an injury that left me temporarily immobile. You helped me through that tough period. I couldn't even move my own body weight, and you've expressed that to me.
One thing you said that I'll never forget was that you couldn't carry me because I was too big, and you would hurt yourself in the process. I understood what you meant, and I didn't take offense to it because you were right. My weight and habits were out of hand. I started at 307 lbs and made my way to 215 lbs, not by choice, but because my injury forced me to. Losing weight became a coping mechanism. I currently struggle to stay disciplined, motivated, and consistent, but I push myself every day to keep working out.
4) Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'm grateful to be able to work out and move at the age I'm at. Zerv taught me a lot, and without him being meticulous and an instructor (educator/trainer-wise), and if I had never experienced that trauma, I don't know where or how physically well I would be.
5) How would you describe Coach Zerv in 3 words?
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Inspiring leader
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Attentive
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Empathetic
JESSICA BIEL | BRONX, NY | CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
1) How do you know Coach Zerv?
I met Zerv through the free calisthenics classes at LimitlessNYC.
2) What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
I can honestly say the biggest impact was getting into calisthenics.
3) What's one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
We have a great vibe all together our conversations and workouts but what will always stay with me is the experience. Coming together working out supporting one and other and how comforting that is.
4) How would you describe Coach Zerv in 3 words?
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Funny
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Caring
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Respectful
NASHY TORRES | BOSTON, MA | RN CAREGIVER/MOM
How do you know Coach Zerv?
I know Coach Zerv from social media.
What impact, if any, has Zerv had on your life?
Zerv has made a pretty big impact on my life through motivation and helping me stay focused on my goals. Not everyone has the best intentions, but he saw something in me and recognized potential that I didn’t see in myself. I’m grateful for him seeing that potential.
What’s one lesson, conversation, or experience with Zerv that has stayed with you?
Zerv reminds me to stay driven toward my goals and continue pushing to become the best version of myself. He has helped me rewire my mindset and understand that the physical body is a temple. His positivity and the way he treats people always reminds me to keep going.
How would you describe Zerv in three words?
Active. Accountable. Resilient.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Keep being your true self. You’re amazing and aware of things most people don’t see. You never make people feel less than, and I appreciate being able to watch the positivity you bring to others.
ALYSSYA MITCHELL | BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY | SERVICE ASSISTANT, MODERN YACHTS
How do you know Coach Zerv?
We met randomly online.
What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
Coach Zerv has shown me how much of an impact one person can have on the people and community around them.
What's one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
The life notes he shares remind me that it's okay to be authentic and true to yourself.
How would you describe Coach Zerv in three words?
Hardworking. Compassionate. Genuine.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'm grateful for the positive example he sets and the way he encourages people simply by being himself
ANNETTE PEREZ | NEW YORK, NY | ASSISTANT TEACHER
How do you know Coach Zerv?
I've worked with him since September 2017.
What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
He motivates me to become a better version of myself, and I know I can always count on him.
What's one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
"Take care of yourself. Be your own leader."
How would you describe Coach Zerv in three words?
Energetic. Educator. Ambitious.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I love watching Coach Zerv work with children. He creates activities that develop both gross and fine motor skills while teaching shapes, colors, and other important concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Joel Rebollo | New York, NY |Commercial Painter/Forman
How do you know Coach Zerv?
Childhood Friend
What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
Coach Zerv has motivated me to get back into fitness, and one of the best parts has been being able to bring my children along for the journey. He’s helped me see that staying active isn’t just about improving myself—it’s about setting an example for my kids and making fitness a part of our family’s lifestyle.
What's one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
We’ve had a lot of conversations about growth—not just physically, but mentally and personally. One thing that has always stuck with me is the importance of constantly working to improve ourselves while also lifting up the people around us. He emphasizes that training is about more than working out; it’s about becoming better athletes, better role models, and better people.
How would you describe Coach Zerv in three words?
Passionate. Consistent. Empathetic.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Coach Zerv is my brother, so I’ve had the privilege of seeing the passion he brings to coaching long before he started his business. He has made a positive impact not only on me, but on my entire family. He always encourages me to bring my children to train, and he gives them the same patience, encouragement, and energy that he gives every adult he works with. He genuinely cares about helping people become the best version of themselves, and it shows in every interaction. I couldn’t recommend him more.
Rob Petrozzo | Brooklyn, NY Tech Founder | Entrepreneur
How do you know coach Zerv?
Zerv and I first met at Limitless NYC a couple of years ago. I had just started training there, and even though he wasn't my coach, he was one of the first people to offer encouragement, advice, and support, and became a familiar face in the gym very quickly.
What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
Zerv brings a calm, steady energy into every situation. In a gym, where the atmosphere is often intense and can be overwhelming at times, he's a grounding presence. That's something I've carried with me both in my training and in my life ever since we met.
Whats one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
I've always been pretty self-deprecating, and the gym is one of the easiest places to fall into that mindset. When a workout isn't going your way, it's easy to get frustrated and start putting yourself down. Early on, Zerv called me out on it. He made it clear that constantly being negative with yourself only leads to negative outcomes, and that early conversation stuck with me. It changed the way I handle challenges while training, and it stuck with me in challenges outside the gym ever since.
How would you describe Zerv in 3 words?
Grounded, centered, steady
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
It's rare to find a coach or trainer who looks to understand the person before or as much as the athlete. I’ve come to know Zerv as someone who doesn't just focus on physical results. He understands that progress starts with the mindset behind those results and he builds both into the way he trains people.
Tyler smith | 22 years old | Hollis, NY | College Student
How do you know coach Zerv?
I met coach Zerv through limitless NYC where he was introduced to me as a personal trainer and helped me get stronger mentally and physically which led to us developing a brotherhood bond.
What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
Coach Zerv has had a major impact on my life when it comes to the mental part of life and working out multiple conversations about staying composed controlling emotions and even understanding your emotions have helped me throughout my everyday life.
What's one lesson, conversation, or experience with Coach Zerv that has stayed with you?
One conversation with coach Zerv that’s stuck with me would be a time where I was doubting myself through a workout and coach Zerv's words of motivation helped me get through and finish the workout he showed me that not everyone is perfect and we all got our bad days but it’s about how we use what we learn from the training to get through those bad days.
How would you describe Zerv in 3 words?
Determined , Resilient , passionate
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’d like to just say that if there’s someone you can count on to be by your side to reach your goals it’s definitely coach Zerv. I’ve seen the way he’s helped people change their life's including mines.
Haley Y | Atlanta, Georgia | Receptionist
How do you know Coach Zerv?
I found Zerv through TikTok, doing what he does best
What impact, if any, has Coach Zerv had on your life?
Zerv has transformed how I think, how I act, and how I commit to myself. Zerv’s training principles have given me the mental fortitude to push past limits, the confidence to trust my own abilities, and the discipline to consistently show up for myself.
Zerv has taught me the resilience needed to bring my vision to life.
What’s one lesson, conversation, or experience with me that has stayed with you?
To love myself where I am at, get serious about my daily regiment, and believe fiercely in my capabilities, I’m stronger than I think.
How would you describe Coach Zerv in three words?
Determined, Resilient, Wise
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
His perspective holistically inspires me to elevate my standard, think bigger, and commit to becoming the strongest version of myself.